THE M6 was closed at rush hour due to a broken-down vehicle.

Traffic was held on the northbound carriageway near to junction 20 at Lymm shortly after 8.45am due to the car having broken down in the outside lanes.

Lanes three and four had previously been shut, but the whole carriageway was closed shortly afterwards in order to allow officers to recover the vehicle.

The motorway was then fully reopened at around 9am, but long delays remain and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.